"Oh my goodness, what is this light? Why are there purple and red lights? Are we seeing things?"

"Such splendid colors, could this be an illusion technique? Or perhaps a reflection from the Turquoise Pool of the Queen Mother of the West?"

The common folks were utterly astonished, but Bai Lu greeted everyone with a beaming smile, energetically unveiling the signboard of Good Sound Music Workshop and then fulfilling his promise.

"Welcome to Good Sound Music Workshop, we shall now proceed with the lucky draw segment."

This time, Lin Yi prepared mysterious gifts that women adore like rouge and perfume, and items that men like such as small antiques, and elder's favorite corn, ensuring everyone wins a prize, and those unsatisfied with their gifts could exchange them for something they prefer.

Seeing more and more people coming to participate, Lin Yi was quite pleased.

'Hehe, this move worked well, much better than just handing out choice gifts for free.'

Yang Gong saw with his wide eyes that a new Good Sound Music Workshop had opened just across from his door, feeling as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

Those guests who were just about to step into Zuimeng Music Workshop saw the cool lights emitting from Good Sound Music Workshop and the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd, they couldn't help but turn around to check out the excitement.

"Ah, after all this effort, a music workshop has opened across from us, clearly aiming to steal our business."

At this moment, Yang Gong wished he could consult with the Fourth Prince and come up with a strategy.

But alas, the Fourth Prince was deep in the tender affection of Zhen Ji, and it really wasn't the time to disturb him.

What infuriated him even more was that those guests, unaware of what Good Sound Music Workshop was all about, came to specifically inquire with Yang Gong.

Before Yang Gong could even speak, a lively tune suddenly started playing in Good Sound Music Workshop.

"It's this feeling of utmost thrill! So thrilling! This feeling of utmost thrill! Thrill thrill thrill thrill thrill! The sky is so clear! The earth so vast! Emotions so rippling! Hearts so wild..."

Guests who had entered Zuimeng Music Workshop, hearing such rhythmic music, all rushed out to see what was happening.

Yang Gong couldn't stop them.

"Dear guests, don't go, our performance is about to start!"

"Ladies, what are you all doing, hurry down and keep the guests here! Ah!"

Despite Yang Gong's efforts to retain them, the guests still pushed away his hand, saying with annoyed expressions, "Let go, let me go and check out the excitement, I'll come back later."

The singers, who were initially prepared to perform, were forced to come down to stop the guests, but couldn't retain even one, feeling inevitably resentful.

"Humph, it was much more enjoyable at the Sixth Prince Manor; we only needed to perform. Here, we have to personally keep the guests like courtesans."

Their pride was not without reason; after all, they were the number one singer group from the Imperial City, with countless people lining up to hear their performances.

Principally, they were to perform arts, not sell themselves, and in the Sixth Prince Manor, they never had to face such humiliation.

Yang Gong was also troubled; without guests, how could he earn the Silver Tael to support them?

His guests were being pulled away, leaving a bitter taste in Yang Gong's mouth. He sent a servant to inquire about the situation across the street and learned that small gifts were being given to attract guests, which made him quickly think of a countermeasure.

"Humph, just using some trivial favors to fool people; only those lowly poor who can't make ends meet would be attracted by such cheap stuff."

Indeed, as Yang Gong said, those who could afford to spend money in a music hall had some spare cash.

Only those desperately poor were attracted by the prospect of a few kilos of corn.

To pull back the guests, Yang Gong deliberately had someone stand in front of Good Sound Music Workshop to mock, saying things like:

"Only the penniless care about a few kilos of corn, these rouges and perfumes are of such poor quality they can't be given away for anything but free, don't fall into traps from the skies and such."

Many people, after hearing these sarcastic remarks, awkwardly walked away.

No one wants to admit in front of others that they are lowly, so the rouge and perfume in their hands instantly lost their scent.

Only a few, who didn't care about others' sarcastic remarks and were determined, still gathered in front of Good Sound Music Workshop.

"Hmph, thinking of competing with me? You are still too green. Someone, go to the distillery and bring me 50 jars of aged brewed wine."

"Also, put up a sign saying that anyone who enters today can drink white liquor for free!"

"Additionally, go find some large drums, if it's about noise, then let me make the loudest noise!"

In Yang Gong's view, those who could come out to listen to music and spend money were mostly gentlemen, and in ancient times, there weren't many pastimes other than brothels and music workshops, none of which could do without liquor.

Just when Good Sound Music Workshop was bustling with activity, suddenly, a deafening drum sound came from across the street.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Lin Yi was enjoying his DJ set when suddenly the sound was drowned out by the drumming.

"What's happening? At this hour, who is still beating drums? It's really jarring."

Then, through the window, Lin Yi saw several burly men energetically drumming in front of Zuimeng Music Workshop.

Beside them, Yang Gong was energetically shouting: "White liquor is free to drink, those who come today, we have enough liquor for everyone!"

This was something Lin Yi had never expected; Yang Gong's counterattack came so quickly.

"Good fellow, this looks interesting. Lucky it's not sleeping time yet, otherwise, I wouldn't let this drumming slide."

Lin Yi took out a walkie-talkie to contact Ying Yi outside.

"Yang Gong has made a move, no need to stop him; let the customers choose for themselves. Those who stay are our most loyal customers, let's serve them well first."

True enough, hearing that there was free-flowing white liquor available across the way, many turned their heads and entered Zuimeng Music Workshop.

"Hahaha, trying to compete with me? You're still too green!"

"Someone! Serve our customers good liquor! The music performance is starting tonight!"

In a short while, Zuimeng Music Workshop gradually filled up with people.

Yang Gong finally heaved a sigh of relief, having pulled the customers back; tonight, he was sure to make a fortune.

Once all customers were seated, Yang Gong began to call out.

Now entering the song-requesting segment, there were 38 customers who had already prepaid 100 silver taels, eagerly competing to request the first song, which became somewhat challenging.

"How about this, everyone is so enthusiastic, let's have an auction. The highest bidder in the time it takes to burn half an incense stick will win the right to request the first song."

Yang Gong shouted loudly, expecting to gather at least 500 silver taels, with some additional bidding, the first song could surely bring in over 2000 silver taels.

Sure enough, to obtain the chance for Imperial City's foremost singer Zhen Ji to perform a song for them, everyone began to raise their bids.

150 silver taels! 180 silver taels! 200 silver taels, 300 silver taels!

It appears there are still many wealthy people around, and in no time, the bid had risen to 300 silver taels!

…End of Chapter…

PS: Third update today!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.